Food processor and attachment

ABSTRACT

A blending apparatus is provided which includes a container, a lid for covering the container, and an attachment within the container. The attachment includes a central shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to engage the lid, and the second end being configured to engage a drive member of the container. The attachment further includes blades extending outwardly from the central shaft, the blades being operable to engage food products in the container. The attachment rotates within the container body (i) while the attachment is captured between a bushing of the lid and the drive member of the container, the first end of the central shaft engaging the bushing and the second end of the central shaft engaging the drive member of the container and (ii) while the second end of the attachment receives torque from the drive member of the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/031,690, entitled “FOOD PROCESSOR,” filed on Feb. 22, 2011, whichclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/367,973 entitled “BLENDER,” filed on Jul. 27,2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a food processor, and moreparticularly to a food processor having one or more unique featuresdesigned for enhancing the safety, ease of use, and/or the versatilityof the food processor.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of types of food processors on the market designedto mix, cut, blend, or otherwise process food.

One type of conventional food processor is commonly referred to as ablender. A conventional blender includes a container, a lid, and arotary blade positioned at the bottom of the container. The blender alsoincludes a base which houses a motor. When the container is placed onthe base, the motor is configured to drive the rotary blade to mix, cutor blend food within the container.

SUMMARY

In one illustrative embodiment, a blending apparatus is provided whichincludes a container, a lid for covering the container, and anattachment to operate within the container. The attachment includes acentral shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end beingconfigured to engage the lid, and the second end being configured toengage a driver member of the container. The attachment further includesa plurality of blades extending outwardly from the central shaft, theblades being operable to engage food products in the container.

In another illustrative embodiment, the lid includes a lid body and abushing supported by the lid body. Additionally, the container includesa container body constructed and arranged to couple to the lid body ofthe lid, and a spindle constructed and arranged to rotate relative tothe container body. The attachment is constructed and arranged to rotatewithin the container body (i) while the attachment is captured betweenthe bushing of the lid and the spindle of the container, the first endof the central shaft engaging the bushing and the second end of thecentral shaft engaging the spindle of the container and (ii) while thesecond end of the attachment receives torque from the spindle of thecontainer.

Other illustrative embodiments are directed to food processors,blenders, other blending apparatus, food processing and blendingsystems, and so on. Some illustrative embodiments are directed tovarious blending processes and blending components which are involved inblending related activities and operations.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages.Not all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and thosethat do may not share them under all circumstances.

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as thestructure of various embodiments that incorporate aspects of theinvention are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will beappreciated more fully from the following drawings, wherein likereference characters designate like features, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a food processor according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a food processor according toone embodiment with a handle shown in a first position;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the food processor shown in FIG.2 with the handle shown moving toward a second position;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the food processor shown inFIGS. 2-3 with the handle shown in the second position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a lid according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a bottom partial perspective view of the container accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a base according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the base shown inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the bottom of the containeraccording to one embodiment with an actuator shown in a first position;

FIG. 11 is a detailed perspective view of the bottom of the containeraccording to one embodiment with an actuator shown in a second, extendedposition;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a lid according to one embodiment witha pour spout shown in a closed position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 12 with the pourspout shown in an open position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a lid according to another embodimentwith the pour spout shown in an open position;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a lower base assembly according toone embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the lower base assembly shown inFIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the container according to one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a blade assembly according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the blade assembly shown in FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a blade assembly according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a blade assembly according to yetanother embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a blade assembly according to yetanother embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a motor and a switch accordingto one embodiment; and

FIG. 24 schematically illustrates a current feedback system according toone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant recognized that there are some drawbacks associated with theabove-mentioned conventional food processors. For example, in one typeof conventional food processor, the motor is configured to drive theblade when the container is placed on the base. Applicant recognizedthat, in some circumstances, this configuration may allow the blade tobe driven before the lid is secured to the container. This may causeinjury if a user's hand is in the container and/or may cause thecontents to spill from the container. Thus, aspects of the presentinvention are directed to a food processor with an actuator configuredto prevent activation of the motor unless the lid is secured to thecontainer.

Additionally, in one type of conventional food processor, a user pressfits the lid to the top of the container to secure the lid. Applicantrecognized that, in some circumstances, the lid may not be securelyfixed to the container and/or it may be difficult to determine whetherthe lid is securely fixed to the container. Thus, aspects of the presentinvention are directed to a food processor with a lid that locks to thecontainer.

Aspects of the present invention are also directed to a food processorwith a lid that is configured such that a user may easily determinewhether the lid is locked to the container. As discussed below, the lidmay include a handle whose position permits a user to readily determinewhether the lid is locked to the container. The position of the handlemay also enable a user to ascertain whether an actuator is configured topermit actuation of the motor.

Further, in one type of conventional food processor, to mount thecontainer to the base, the container is simply placed on top of thebase. Applicant recognized that, in some circumstances, a more secureconnection between the container and the base may be desired.Accordingly, aspects of the present invention are directed to a foodprocessor including a container that can be locked to the base.Additionally, aspects of the present invention are directed to a foodprocessor including a container that is slidably couplable to the base,and other aspects of the invention are directed to a food processorhaving a container that is rotatably couplable to the base.

It should be appreciated that for purposes herein, the term “foodprocessor” refers to any device that is designed to mix, cut, blend,whip or otherwise process food. As discussed above, one type of foodprocessor is commonly referred to as a blender. “Blender” is a term thatis typically used to reference a device that is designed for blendingliquids. Although the present invention includes blenders, it should notbe limited in this respect. In one embodiment, the food processor isdesigned for processing liquids. In another embodiment, the foodprocessor is designed for processing solid foods. In yet anotherembodiment, the food processor is designed for processing both liquidand solid foods.

Turning to FIGS. 1-5, one embodiment of a food processor 10 according tothe present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the foodprocessor 10 includes a container 20, a lid 40, and a base 60. Thecontainer 20 is sized to receive food, and is configured to receive ablade assembly (exemplary blade assemblies are discussed in greaterdetail further below and are shown in FIGS. 18-22). As discussed below,in one embodiment, the container 20 has a spindle 22 configured toreceive a blade assembly. As shown, the container 20 may have a handle26 for easily grasping the container. The base includes a motor 156 (seeFIG. 23), which when activated, drives the spindle and, ultimately, theblade assembly to process food within the container. Various embodimentsof the blade assembly are discussed further below, but it should beappreciated that the blade assembly may be configured to mix, cut,puree, slice, dice, blend, whip or otherwise process food within thecontainer, as the invention is not necessarily limited in this respect.

As discussed above, in one type of conventional food processor, the lidis simply press fit to the top of the container. In contrast, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the lid 40 is configured to lock to thecontainer 20. In this particular embodiment, the lid includes a handle42 which is attached to the lid 40 and movable between a first positionshown in FIG. 2, and a second position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. When thehandle 42 is in the first position, the lid 40 is capable of beingcoupled to the container by moving the lid downwardly onto thecontainer. When the lid 40 is coupled to and aligned with the top of thecontainer 20, the handle 42 may be moved to the second position, lockingthe lid 40 to the container 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the handle 42 includes a handle engagementelement 44 and the container 20 includes a container engagement element24 which is engageable with the handle engagement element 44. Movementof the handle 42 from the first position (see FIG. 2) into the secondposition (see FIGS. 3 and 4) engages the handle engagement element 44with the container engagement element 24 to lock the lid 40 to thecontainer 20. When locked, the lid 40 cannot be removed unless thehandle 42 is moved out of the second position.

In this particular illustrative embodiment, the container engagementelement 24 includes a curved protrusion or rib on the upper part of thecontainer, and the handle engagement element 44 includes a curvedchannel on the handle 42. Rotation of the handle 42 from the firstposition to the second position rotates the channel into engagement withthe rib such that the lid 40 is locked to the container 20. Movement ofthe handle 42 from the second position back to the first positiondisengages the channel from the rib to unlock the lid 40 from thecontainer 20.

Although a rib and channel configuration is discussed above, it shouldbe appreciated that the handle engagement element 44 and the containerengagement element 24 may be configured differently as the presentinvention is not necessarily limited in this respect. For example, it isalso contemplated that a protrusion or rib may be provided on the handle42 and a mating channel may be provided on the container 20. Further,other engagement elements known to one of skill in the art such as, butnot limited to latches, hooks, pins, etc. are also contemplated as thepresent invention is not so limited.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the handle engagementelement 44 includes more than one engaging portion, and may include, forexample, a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion.This particular embodiment includes a first channel positioned on oneside of the lid 40 and a second channel spaced apart from the firstchannel and positioned on an opposite side of the lid 40. Similarly, thecontainer engagement element 24 includes a first portion and a secondportion where the second portion is positioned on a side of thecontainer opposite the first portion. In this particular embodiment, thecontainer engagement element 24 includes a first rib positioned on oneside of the container and a second rib spaced apart from the first riband positioned on an opposite side of the container 20.

The lid handle 42 may be configured in a variety of ways, as theinvention is not so limited. As illustrated, in one embodiment, thehandle 42 is rotatable between the first position and the secondposition. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second positionsof the handle 42 are spaced apart by approximately 90°. In anotherembodiment, the first and second positions may be spaced apart by lessthan 90°, such as, but not limited to, approximately 45° orapproximately 60°. In another embodiment, the first and second positionsmay be spaced apart by more than 90°, such as approximately 180°, orapproximately 270°. It is also contemplated that the handle may movebetween the first and second positions with linear movement instead of,or in addition to, rotational movement.

In one illustrative embodiment, the handle 42 is substantially U-shapedand the lid 40 includes a recessed portion 38 which is shaped to receivethe U-shaped handle 42 such that the handle 42 is adapted to fit withinat least a portion of the recessed portion 38 of the lid when the handleis in the second position. As illustrated, in one embodiment, the handle42 is substantially flush with the lid body 46 when the handle 42 is inthe second position. Other handle shapes and configurations are alsocontemplated as the invention is not so limited.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom of the container 20 includes acontainer clutch 150 and the top of the base 60 includes a motor clutch152. When the container 20 is coupled to the base, the clutches 150, 152engage such that activation of the motor 156 (see FIG. 23) housed withinthe base 60 causes rotation of the spindle 22, and in turn, rotation ofa blade assembly coupled to the spindle 22.

As discussed below, aspects of the present invention are directed to afood processor with an actuator which may be configured to activate aswitch 158 (see FIG. 23) to permit activation of the motor, and thuspermit activation of the clutches 150, 152, once the lid is secured tothe container.

FIGS. 6-11 illustrate one embodiment of an actuator. In particular, asshown in FIG. 6, the container 20 includes an actuator 100, which, inthis embodiment, is positioned within the handle 26 of the container 20.The container actuator 100 has a first end 102 positioned at the top ofthe handle 26 and a second end 104 positioned at the bottom of thecontainer 20. When the container 20 is coupled to the base 60, thesecond end 104 of the actuator 100 is configured to actuate a switch 158(see FIG. 23) to permit activation of the motor 156. In one embodiment,the container actuator 100 is moveable between a first position (seeFIGS. 6, 7 and 10) and a second, extended position (see FIG. 11). Theend 104 of the actuator may be configured to actuate a switch 158 thatmay be housed within the base 60. For example, as discussed furtherbelow, and as illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, in one embodiment, the base 60has a housing 62 which encloses the motor 156. The housing 62 mayinclude a receptacle 64 having a pathway configured to receive the end104 of the container actuator 100 to activate a switch 158 within thehousing 62.

It should be appreciated that although in one embodiment, the actuator100 is positioned within the handle 26 of the container 20, theinvention is not necessarily so limited. In another embodiment, theactuator 100 may be positioned to extend along one of the walls of thecontainer 20, and may for example extend within one of the corners ofthe container. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the actuator 100 mayextend either inside or outside of the container 20.

In one illustrative embodiment, the actuator 100 is configured to movein a substantially linear direction between the first position and asecond position. It should also be recognized that the actuator 100 maybe configured to move differently, and may for example incorporaterotational movement between the first position and the second positionas the invention is not limited in this respect.

Turning back to FIGS. 2-4, the lid 40 may have a lid actuator 140configured such that when the lid 40 is coupled to the container 20, thelid actuator 140 is moveable into contact with the first end 102 of thecontainer actuator 100 to permit activation of the motor. In oneillustrative embodiment, the lid actuator 140 is positioned on thehandle 42 such that movement of the handle from the first position tothe second position moves the lid actuator 140 into contact with thefirst end 102 of the container actuator 100. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, thelid 40 may include a notch 256 positioned to accommodate the lidactuator 140 when the lid handle 42 is in the second position. In oneembodiment, when the handle is in the first position, the motor isprevented from being activated, and when the handle is in the secondposition, activation of the motor is permitted. The lid actuator andhandle may be configured such that the motor is prevented from beingactivated when the handle is moved out of the second position.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base 60 may have a base actuator 160which is configured to permit activation of the motor upon contact withthe container actuator 100. In one embodiment, the base actuator 160 ispositioned within the receptacle 64 and the second end 104 of thecontainer actuator 100 is configured to contact the base actuator 160when in the second, extended position to permit activation of the motor.The base actuator 160 may be arranged to activate the switch 158 (seeFIG. 23) to activate the motor 156.

It should be appreciated that any of the above-mentioned actuators maybe biased by a spring or otherwise. For example, in one embodiment, thecontainer actuator 100 is spring biased in the first position in whichthe second end 104 of the actuator may be retracted into the container20. In another embodiment, the base actuator 160 may be spring biased ina direction towards the container 20 (and away from the switch 158). Inone embodiment, the lid actuator 140 may be spring biased. However, inthe illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2, the lid actuator 140 is rigidlyattached to the underside of the handle 42 and is configured to rotatetherewith. It should be appreciated that one of skill in the art wouldrecognize that there are a variety of ways in which the actuators may bebiased, and the invention is not so limited.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 10 and 11, the second end 104 of the containeractuator 100 may include a guide arm 105 which may assist in themovement of the second end 104 of the actuator 100 by maintaining thealignment of the actuator 100 during the substantially linear movementof the actuator into and out of the receptacle 64 in the base 60. In oneembodiment, the underside of the container 20 includes a plate 106 withan opening through which the second end 104 of the actuator and/or theguide arm 105 may selectively extend. The plate 106 may help to shieldthe actuator 100 to prevent unwanted materials from interfering with themovement of the actuator 100.

The food processor may be configured such that when the lid handle 42 isin the first position (see FIG. 2), the lid 40 is capable of beingcoupled to the container 20. In one embodiment, the handle 42 isprevented from moving into the second position until the lid 40 iscoupled to the container 20. This may prevent the activation of themotor before the lid 40 is secured to the container. In particular, asshown in FIGS. 2-3, the lid 40 has a lid body 46 and at least one tab 48is attached to the lid body 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the tab 48 has anextended position in which the tab 48 prevents movement of the handle 42into the second position. As shown in FIG. 3, the tab 48 has a retractedposition in which the tab 48 permits movement of the handle 42 into thesecond position. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the tab 48 may be movable fromits extended position to its retracted position once the lid 40 iscoupled to the container 20. In particular, the upper surface of thecontainer 20 may push the tab 48 into a receptacle in the lid body 46such that the tab 48 does not prevent movement of the handle into thesecond position once the lid 40 is coupled to the container 20. In oneembodiment, there are first and second tabs 48, where the second tab 48is positioned on a side of the lid body 46 opposite the first tab 48. Insuch an embodiment, the lid 40 must be aligned with multiple sides ofthe container 20 in order for both tabs 48 to retract. This prevents thehandle 42 from being moved to the second position (and thus in aposition to permit activation of the motor with the lid actuator 140)before the lid is in contact with multiple sides of the container.

The lid 40 may include a release button 70 configured to unlock the lid40 from the container 20. In one embodiment, once the handle 42 is inthe second position and the lid 40 is locked to the container 20, thehandle 42 is locked in the second position until the release button 70is pressed.

As illustrated, the lid body 46 may include one or more tabs 72 whichare engageable with the handle when the handle is in the second positionto prevent movement of the handle. In one embodiment, the handle 42 hasopenings (not shown) configured to receive the tabs 72. Pressing therelease button 70 may retract the tabs causing the handle 42 to unlockfrom and move out from the second position. As the handle 42 is movedback to the first position, the container disengages from the lid suchthat the lid is unlocked from the container. In one embodiment, the tabs72 are biased in a retracted position, and may, for example, be springbiased. In one embodiment, spring biased tabs 74 may also be provided onthe underside of the handle 42. When the handle 42 is in the secondposition, the tabs 74 may retract into the handle 42, and when therelease button 70 is pressed, the tabs 74 may press against the portion38 of the lid 40 causing the handle 42 to pop up and out of the secondposition.

As mentioned above, aspects of the present invention are directed to afood processor including a container that is slidably and/or rotatablycoupled to the base. Applicant recognized that this may provide a moresecure connection between the container and the base in comparison to acontainer that is simply placed on top of a base. In particular, if acontainer is simply placed on top of a base, there is only downwardmovement of the container as it is placed onto the base. In contrast, inone embodiment, the container is slidably and/or rotatably coupled tothe base such that there is sliding and/or rotational movement of thecontainer relative to the base in a direction other than the directionof downward movement of the container towards the base. In oneembodiment, the sliding and/or rotational movement of the containerrelative to the base is in a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the downward movement of the container onto the base.In one embodiment, the food processor includes a container that can belocked to the base.

As set forth below, in one embodiment, the container may be rotatedrelative to the base to lock the container to the base. FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate one embodiment where the container 20 and the base 60 areconfigured to be rotatably coupled to each other. In particular, the topof the base 60 has spaced apart engagement elements 68 that are designto engage with spaced apart engagement elements 28 on the bottom of thecontainer 20. In one illustrative embodiment, an engagement element 28on the container 20 has a rib 30 with a stop 32 that limits therotational movement of the container 20 on the base 60. As shown in FIG.8, an engagement element 68 on the base 60 may include a slot configuredto slidably receive the rib 30. In the illustrative embodiment, thecontainer 20 and base 60 each includes four engagement elements 28, 68.It should be appreciated that a different number of engagement elementsmay also be provided as the invention is not so limited.

In one embodiment, clockwise rotation of the container relative to thebase causes the rib 30 on the container 20 to engage with the slot onthe base 60, and counterclockwise rotation of the container relative tothe base causes the rib to disengage from the slot. It should beappreciated that in another embodiment, the container 40 may be coupledto the base 60 differently, as the invention is not so limited. Forexample, although a rotational coupling of the container to the base isdiscussed above, non-rotational sliding movement of the containerrelative to the base is also contemplated to slidably couple thecontainer to the base. One of skill in the art would recognize thatother engagement elements may be used to either rotatably couple thecontainer to the base and/or non-rotatably couple the container to thebase.

Applicant recognized that a user may want to secure the lid 40 to thecontainer 20 and thereafter couple the container 20 to the base 60.However, in one embodiment where the container 20 has an actuator 100,once the lid 40 is coupled to the container 20, and the second end 104of the actuator is in its second, extended position (see FIG. 11), suchas when the handle 42 is moved to its second position, the position ofthe actuator 100 may interfere with the coupling of the container to thebase 60.

Thus, in one embodiment, the base 60 is configured such that it can becoupled to the container 20 when the actuator 100 is in the second,extended position. As shown in FIGS. 8-9, in one embodiment, the basehousing 62 has at least one receptacle 64 having a pathway configured toreceive an actuator 100 to actuate a switch 158 (see FIG. 23) to permitactivation of the motor 156. As illustrated, the receptacle includes anopen side portion 82 such that the food processor container can becoupled to the base when the actuator is in the second, extendedposition. In one embodiment, the receptacle includes an open top portion80. The receptacle 64 may include both an open top portion 60 and anopen side portion 82 such that the container can be coupled to thecontainer when the actuator 100 is in either the first or the second,extended position. In particular, the open side portion 82 of thereceptacle 64 enables the extended end 104 of the actuator to enter thereceptacle as the container 20 is slidably and/or rotatably coupled tothe base 60.

As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the base 60 has a base actuator160 positioned within the receptacle 64 and the second end 104 of thecontainer actuator 100 is configured to contact the base actuator 160when in the second, extended position. Movement of the base actuator 160may activate the switch 158 to permit activation of the motor 156. Asshown in FIG. 9, the base actuator 160 may have a ramped upper surface162 which enables the end 104 of the container actuator 100 to actuatethe base actuator 160 from either the open top portion 80 of thereceptacle 64 or the open side portion 82 of the receptacle 64. If theactuator 100 is in its first position when the container is coupled tothe base, the actuator 100 may enter the receptacle 64 from the open topportion 80 to actuate the base actuator 160. If the actuator 100 is inits second, extended position when the container is coupled to the base,the actuator 100 may enter the receptacle 64 from the open side portion82 to actuate the base actuator 160.

As shown in FIG. 8, the base housing 62 may have a plurality ofreceptacles 64 configured to receive the container actuator 100. In thisillustrative embodiment, first and second receptacles 64 are providedand each are configured such that the container 20 may be rotatablycoupled to the base 60 when the actuator 100 is in the second, extendedposition. The first receptacle 64 is positioned for the container 20 tobe coupled to the base 60 in a first orientation, and the secondreceptacle 64 is positioned for the container to be coupled to the basein a second orientation. For example, in FIG. 1, the container 20 ispositioned in a first orientation such that the container handle 26 ispositioned for use by a right-handed user. In contrast, the containermay be positioned such that the container handle 26 is rotatedapproximately 90° to a second orientation for use by a left-handed user.

As shown in FIG. 8, the base 60 may include a weep notch 154 tofacilitate cleaning and/or to permit drainage of any material that isspilled on or near the motor clutch 152.

Turning now to FIGS. 12-14, the lid 40 will be discussed in greaterdetail. As shown, the lid 40 has an opening or pour spout 200 which maybe configured for pouring contents of the container 20 out of thecontainer when the lid 40 is secured to the container. The pour spout200 may be positioned in a corner of the lid. The lid 40 may be lockedto the container 20 such that the container can be tipped to pourcontents from the container and the lid 40 remains locked to thecontainer. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 40 may include one or more sealsor gaskets 204 extending around the lower perimeter of the lid 40 toprevent leakage between the lid 40 and the container 20. It is alsocontemplated that the pour spout opening 200 is sized such that contentsmay be poured into the container 20 through the opening 200.

A cover 202 may be configured to close the pour spout opening 200. Inone illustrative embodiment, the cover 202 is pivotally attached to thelid 40. The cover 202 may include an inner lip 204 which mates with theperimeter of the opening 200 to prevent leakage from the opening 200when the cover 202 is closed. The cover 202 may be translucent. Itshould be appreciated that in another embodiment, the cover may attachto the lid 40 by other conventional methods known to one of skill in theart and the cover may also be opaque as the invention is not so limited.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pour spout opening 200 has a finger guard 206configured to prevent a user from inserting his/her fingers into theopening 200. The finger guard enables the contents of the container 20to be poured from the opening 200 while preventing fingers, or otherobjects, from passing through the opening 200 and into the container 20.In this particular embodiment, the finger guard 206 is substantiallygrid-shaped. In other embodiments, the finger guard 206 may be shapeddifferently.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate a lower base assembly 260. The base assembly 260has a body 262 with a plurality of suction cups 264 configured to adhereto a working surface, such as a countertop. The body 262 of the baseassembly 260 may be configured to receive the base 60 of the foodprocessor to prevent movement of the food processor 10 on a countertopor other working surface. In one illustrative embodiment, the lower baseassembly 260 has a latch 266 configured to release the base 60 from thelower base assembly 260. It should be appreciated that in anotherembodiment, suction cups 262 may be secured directly to the base 60, asthe invention is not so limited.

FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of the container 20 in greaterdetail. As shown in this top view, the container 20 may have asubstantially rectangular shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 17, in oneembodiment, each inner corner 242 of the container 20 may be beveled.For example, each inner corner 242 may include a beveled surface 240. Inone embodiment, the beveled surfaces are rounded and concave. In anotherembodiment, the beveled surfaces 240 are substantially planar. Thebeveled surfaces 240 may enhance the performance characteristics of thefood processor 10. For example, the beveled surfaces 240 may assist ineven blending and/or mixing of material within the food processor bypreventing material within the container 20 from building up in theinner corners 242 of the container. As shown, the beveled surfaces 240may be in each corner 240 of the container 20 and may extend along alower portion of the container. In another embodiment, a beveled surface240 may extend along a majority of the height of a corner 242, or mayextend up to the top of the container 20.

As mentioned above, the container 20 may have a substantiallyrectangular shape, and the lid 40 may also have a substantiallyrectangular shape to correspond to the shape of the container. In oneembodiment, the container is sized to hold up to approximately 72 ouncesof fluid. In another embodiment, the container is sized to hold up toapproximately 40 ounces of fluid, though any suitable volume capacitymay be provided in various embodiments. It is also contemplated that inanother embodiment, the container 20 and/or the lid 40 may be shapeddifferently, and may for example have a circular shape, as the inventionis not so limited.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 17, the container 20 and the lid 40 may haveindicators 250, 252 to assist the user in positioning the lid 40 on thecontainer 20. As mentioned above, the lid 40 may be configured to bepositioned on the container such that the lid actuator 140 is alignedwith the top end 102 of the container actuator 100. An indicator 250 maybe positioned on the container handle 28, and an indicator 252 may bepositioned on the lid 40 such that when the two indicators are aligned,the lid 40 is properly positioned on the container 20. In oneillustrative embodiment, the indicators 250, 252 are arrow-like symbols,but it should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the indicators250, 252 may be lines, words, and/or other symbols as the invention isnot so limited.

As discussed above, the lid may be configured to lock with thecontainer. The indicators 250, 252 may be configured to position thehandle engagement element 44 with the container engagement element 24 sothat the lid 40 may be locked to the container 20.

As mentioned above, the container 20 is configured to receive a bladeassembly that is configured to mix, cut, puree, slice, dice, blend, whipor otherwise process food within the container, as the invention is notlimited in this respect. It is contemplated that the food processor 10may be used to process ingredients, such as, but not limited to, variousliquids such as water, juice and alcohol, and various solids, such asfruits, vegetables and ice.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 17, the container 20 may have an engagementelement, such as spindle 22, configured to engage with a portion of theblade assembly. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid 40 may have an engagementelement, such as bushing 410, configured to engage with a portion of theblade assembly. As set forth below, in one embodiment, the bladeassembly is configured to engage with both the container 20 and the lid40, and may have, for example, a first end configured to engage with thelid, and a second end configured to engage with the container. In otherembodiments, the blade assembly may be configured to engage with onlythe lid 40 or the container 20, as the invention is not so limited.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate one embodiment of a blade assembly 400. Asshown, the blade assembly 400 has a shaft 404 and a plurality of blades406, and the blades 406 are arranged in pairs that are spaced apartalong the length of the shaft 404. In one illustrative embodiment, theblade assembly includes three pairs of blades 406, but it should berecognized that in another embodiment, the blade assembly may include adifferent number of pairs of blades, for example one pair, two pairs orfour or more pairs.

The blades 406 may be removably coupled to the shaft 404. In anotherembodiment, the blades 406 are fixed to the shaft 404.

A first end 402 of the blade assembly 400 is configured to engage withthe lid. More specifically, as shown, the first end 402 of the bladeassembly may include a pin configured to be inserted into a bushing 410located on the underside of the lid 40. As shown in FIG. 19, a secondend 408 of the blade assembly may be configured to engage with thecontainer 40. In this particular embodiment, the second end 408 of theblade assembly includes a cavity that is configured to engage with thespindle 22 on the container. As shown, the second end 408 of the bladeassembly 400 may include a pattern, such as a star-shaped pattern whichengages with the shape of the spindle 22. Although a star-shaped patternis illustrated, one of skill in the art would appreciate that otherconfigurations, such as, but not limited to, circular, triangular,square, rectangular, or hexagonal patterns, are also contemplated.

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of a blade assembly 412 that issimilar to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 18-19, except that it onlyincludes one pair of blades 406. As shown, this embodiment of the bladeassembly 412 also includes a first end 402 configured to engage with thelid 40. It is also contemplated that the second end 408 (not shown) isconfigured to engage with the container 20.

The above blade assemblies 400, 412 include components that engage withthe lid 40 and/or the container 40 to secure the blade assembly withinthe container for processing food. In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 18-20, a first end 402 of the blade assembly 400, 412 has a malecomponent that is engageable with a female component on the lid 40, andthe second end 408 of the blade assembly 400, 412 has a female componentthat is engageable with a male component on the container 40. It shouldbe appreciated that the invention is not limited in this respect, andfor example, in another embodiment, the first end 402 of the bladeassembly 400, 412 may include a female component engageable with a malecomponent on the lid, and/or the second end 408 of the blade assembly400, 412 may include a male component that is engageable with a femalecomponent on the container 20. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate that a variety of other types of engagement elements may beused to couple the blade assembly 400, 412 to the container 20 and/orthe lid 40.

It should be recognized that the blade assemblies 400, 412 shown inFIGS. 18-20 may be used for various applications, such as, but notlimited to cutting, slicing, dicing, and pureeing food within thecontainer. In one embodiment, the blades 406 have sharp edges tofacilitate these applications. The blade assembly 412 shown in FIG. 20may, for example, be constructed and arranged for kneading dough, and/orfor finely chopping small items such as garlic and cloves.

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of a blade assembly 420. In thisparticular embodiment, the blade assembly 420 includes a plurality ofblades 406 that form a paddle-like configuration. Such a configurationmay be used for mixing. As shown, the blade assembly 420 may alsoinclude a shaft 404 with a first end 402 configured to engage with thelid 40 and a second end (not shown) configured to engage with thecontainer 20.

The paddle-like configuration of the blades 406 may together have asubstantially rectangular shape. The blades 406 may be formed with aplurality of substantially linear segments 422 spaced apart by aplurality of openings 424 to form a grid-like pattern. It iscontemplated that the openings 424 permit aeration of the componentswithin the food processor 10. In one embodiment, the plurality of blades406 are substantially parallel with each other such that it forms asubstantially planar arrangement. The blade assembly 420 shown in FIG.21 may be used for mixing food such as dough (e.g., cookie dough).

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of a blade assembly 430 whichincludes a plurality of blades 406. As shown, the blade assembly 430 mayalso include a shaft 404 with a first end 402 configured to engage withthe lid 40 a second end (not shown) configured to engage with thecontainer 20. As illustrated, the blades 406 may be formed with aplurality of substantially linear segments 422 spaced apart by aplurality of openings 424 to form a grid-like pattern. The blades 406may be spaced apart by approximately 90°. It is also contemplated thatthe blades 406 may be spaced apart differently, such as, but not limitedto 45°, 120°, or 180°. The blade assembly 430 shown in FIG. 22 may beused for whisking and/or whipping materials within the container.

In one embodiment, the blade assemblies 420, 430 are designed forvarious non-cutting applications, such as mixing. However, it is alsocontemplated that the blade assemblies 420, 430 may include one or moresharp edges designed for cutting as the invention is not so limited.

Regardless of the type of blade assembly used, the food processor 10 isconfigured such that the blade assembly rotates when the motor 156 isactivated. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 60 may include a control panel440 with a plurality of buttons configured to activate the motor. One ofskill in the art would recognize that the control panel 440 may includea plurality of settings so that the user can regulate the speed of themotor. For example, in one embodiment, the control panel 440 may includea first setting which is a low speed which may be preferable for mixingdough. The control panel 440 may include a second setting which is amedium setting which may be preferable for general blending, and thecontrol panel may include a third setting which is a high setting whichmay be preferable for crushing ice.

Applicant recognized that when processing certain ingredients, aconventional food processor may not be capable of maintaining a constantmotor speed. For example, when processing a mixture, it may be desirableto process food with the blade assembly at a particular speed, such as,but not limited to 100 rpm, 200 rpm, or 500 rpm. However, a mixture,such as a dense mixture, may increase the load on the motor, which maycause the motor speed to undesirably change. Thus, in one embodiment,the motor 156 is configured to maintain a substantially constantrotational speed, regardless of the type of material being processed.

In one embodiment, the motor 156 includes an electronic current feedbacksystem 500 to maintain the rotational speed of the motor regardless ofthe load on the motor. As shown in the schematic diagram illustrated inFIG. 24, the current feedback system 500 may perform a series of actsincluding the act 502 of setting the desired motor speed, the act 504 ofsensing the actual motor speed, and the act 504 of comparing the actualsensed motor speed to the desired motor speed. As shown in act 510 and512, if the sensed motor speed is substantially different than thedesired motor speed, the electronic current feedback system isconfigured to adjust the power to the motor to increase or decrease themotor speed accordingly. For example, if the actual motor speed is lessthat the desired speed, the current feedback system 500 may beconfigured to increase the power to the motor to increase the motorspeed. As shown in act 508, if the actual speed is substantially equalto the desired speed, the system may go back to the act 504 of sensingthe actual motor speed. The feedback system may be configured tocontinuously sense the motor speed, or intermittently sense the motorspeed, for example, every 5 seconds.

The food processor may be formed from a variety of materials as theinvention is not so limited. It is contemplated that the variouscomponents forming the lid 40, container 40 and base 60 may be formed ofplastic and/or metal. It should be appreciated that the container 20 maybe substantially transparent so that a user can view the contentsthereof.

The present invention contemplates a variety of methods for using theabove described food processor. For example, a method of processingfoods in accordance with the present invention includes one or more ofthe acts of: providing a food processor which has a container, a bladeassembly, a lid, a base with a motor configured to drive the bladeassembly, and an actuator included with the container that is moveablebetween a first position and a second, extended position, wherein whenthe food processor container is coupled to the base and the actuator isin the second, extended position, the actuator is configured to actuatea switch to permit activation of the motor, coupling the lid to a top ofthe container, moving the container actuator into the second, extendedposition, and coupling the container to the base, where the base isconstructed and arranged such that the container can be coupled to thebase when the actuator is in the second, extended position.

A method of processing foods in accordance with the present inventionincludes one or more of the acts of: providing a food processor having acontainer, a blade assembly, a lid, and a base with a motor configuredto drive the blade assembly, the lid having a handle movable between atleast a first position and a second position, coupling the lid to a topof the container with the handle in the first position, and moving thehandle from the first position to the second position to permitactivation of the motor.

A method of processing foods in accordance with the present inventionincludes one or more of the acts of: providing a food processor having acontainer, a blade assembly, and a lid, the lid having a handle movablebetween at least a first position and a second position, coupling thelid to a top of the container with the handle in the first position, andmoving the handle from the first position to the second position to lockthe lid to the container.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the presentinvention may be formed with one or more of the above-describedfeatures. The above aspects and features of the invention may beemployed in any suitable combination as the present invention is notlimited in this respect. It should also be appreciated that the drawingsillustrate various components and features which may be incorporatedinto various embodiments of the present invention. For simplification,some of the drawings may illustrate more than one optional feature orcomponent. However, the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed in the drawings. It should be recognized that thepresent invention encompasses embodiments which may include only aportion of the components illustrated in any one drawing figure, and/ormay also encompass embodiments combining components illustrated inmultiple different drawing figures.

It should be understood that the foregoing description of variousembodiments of the invention are intended merely to be illustrativethereof and that other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents ofthe invention are within the scope of the invention recited in theclaims appended hereto.

1. An attachment comprising: a central shaft having a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end is configured to engage a lid of ablending apparatus, and wherein the second end is configured to engage adrive member of a container of the blending apparatus; and one or moremembers extending outwardly from the central shaft, wherein each memberis operable to engage food products in the container.
 2. The attachmentof claim 1, wherein the first end is a male component to be received bya female component on the lid.
 3. The attachment of claim 2, wherein themale component is a pin and wherein the female component is a bushing.4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the first end is a femalecomponent for receiving a male component on the lid.
 5. The attachmentof claim 1, wherein the second end is a male component to be received bya female component on the container.
 6. The attachment of claim 1,wherein the second end is a female component for receiving a malecomponent on the container.
 7. The attachment of claim 6, wherein thefemale component defines a cavity and wherein the male component is aspindle.
 8. The attachment of claim 7, wherein the cavity has a firstshape, wherein the spindle has a second shape, and wherein the secondshape complements the first shape.
 9. The attachment of claim 8, whereinthe first shape is at least one of circular, triangular, square,rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal.
 10. The attachment of claim 8,wherein the second shape is at least one of circular, triangular,square, rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal.
 11. The attachment ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more members includes: a plurality of bladesextending outwardly from the central shaft, wherein the blades areoperable to engage food products in the container.
 12. The attachment ofclaim 11, wherein the first end is a pin configured to be inserted intoa bushing located on the underside of the lid.
 13. The attachment ofclaim 11, wherein the second end defines a cavity configured to engagewith a spindle on the interior of the container.
 14. The attachment ofclaim 11, wherein the plurality of blades form a paddle configuration.15. The attachment of claim 14, wherein the paddle configurationincludes a plurality of substantially planar segments.
 16. Theattachment of claim 11, wherein the plurality of blades form a gridconfiguration.
 17. The attachment of claim 16, wherein the gridconfiguration includes a plurality of substantially linear segmentsspaced apart by a plurality of openings.
 18. The attachment of claim 17,wherein the segments and the openings are operable to introduce aerationinto the food products.
 19. The attachment of claim 11, wherein theblades are spaced apart by at least one of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 120degrees and 180 degrees.
 20. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the lidincludes (i) a removable lid body constructed and arranged to beinstalled onto and then removed from the container and (ii) a bushingsupported by the removable lid body; wherein the container furtherincludes a container body to receive the removable lid body of the lid;wherein the second end of the attachment is constructed and arranged toreceive rotation from the drive member when the drive member rotatesrelative to the container body in response to activation of a motor. 21.A blending apparatus comprising: a container including a drive member; alid for covering the container; and an attachment within the container,the attachment comprising: a central shaft having a first end and asecond end, wherein the first end is configured to engage the lid, andwherein the second end is configured to engage the drive member of thecontainer, and a plurality of blades extending outwardly from thecentral shaft, wherein the blades are operable to engage food productsin the container.
 22. The blending apparatus of claim 21 wherein the lidincludes (i) a removable lid body constructed and arranged to beinstalled onto and then removed from the container and (ii) a bushingsupported by the removable lid body; wherein the container furtherincludes a container body to receive the removable lid body of the lid;wherein the drive member is constructed and arranged to rotate relativeto the container body in response to activation of a motor; and whereinthe attachment is constructed and arranged to rotate within thecontainer body (i) while the attachment is captured between the bushingof the lid and the drive member of the container, the first end of thecentral shaft engaging the bushing and the second end of the centralshaft engaging the drive member of the container and (ii) while thesecond end of the attachment receives torque from the drive member ofthe container.